Chemical and related process operatives Salary
Median salary £33,531 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £34,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For chemical and related process operatives, £33,959 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -13% versus the national average. Experienced chemical and related process operatives (top 25%) earn over £41,953.
About this role
Textile process operatives operate machinery in textile mills and clothing factories, producing yarns, fabrics and finished textiles. They set up looms, knitting machines and finishing equipment, monitor quality and maintain production output.
Key responsibilities
- Operating spinning, weaving, knitting or finishing machinery
- Setting up machines for different fabric specifications
- Monitoring fabric quality and identifying defects
- Changing bobbins, beams and machine settings
- Maintaining machinery and reporting faults
Qualifications and entry routes
No formal qualifications typically required. On-the-job training provided. NVQ in Textile Manufacturing is available. Technical textile knowledge develops through experience.
Career outlook
Traditional textile manufacturing has declined in the UK. Technical textiles (medical, automotive, aerospace) offer more sustainable career opportunities.
Key skills
Common industries
- Textile mills
- Technical textiles
- Carpet manufacturing
- Medical textiles
- Automotive textiles
Data coverage
Median Salary
£33,531
Mean Salary
£36,311
Jobs (000s)
17k
Data Years
11 years
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£23,494
0-2 years
Mid Level
£27,199
3-7 years
Senior
£41,953
8-15 years
Potential career growth: +79% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 13.0%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
All Employees
£33,531
Full-time Only
£33,959
Full-time premium: +£428
Chemical and related process operatives salary: common questions
How much do chemical and related process operatives earn in the UK?
Is £33,959 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for chemical and related process operatives?
Have chemical and related process operatives salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for chemical and related process operatives?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).
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